Methods and apparatus for upgrading set top box devices without the loss of stored content

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for smoothly and efficiently upgrading set top boxes, e.g., personal video recorders, which have customer selected content stored thereon are described. The described methods allow content stored on a set top box to be uploaded to a network storage device, e.g., automatically at a predetermined time prior to a scheduled upgrade, or in some cases, via manual control of the set top box to be upgraded. After stored content is uploaded to the network storage device, the set top box is replaced with a new set top box. The new set top box can be preloaded with the previously uploaded content or a content download can be triggered, e.g., by activating a hidden application and by supplying information identifying the set top box being replaced as part of the upgrade process.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading settop box devices, and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus forsupporting efficient upgrading of STB (Set Top Box) PVR (Personal VideoRecorder) devices including, e.g., digital video recorders, without theloss of user stored content.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Set top boxes are used in the cable industry for interfacing between thecable network and various customer premise devices. For a number ofyears, set top boxes have been mainly used for receiving televisionprogramming and/or other content along with menu information and forproviding an interface through which a customer can access the availablecontent. For example, cable set top boxes have been used for a number ofyears to allow a cable service subscriber to access video and/or othercontent available through the network, e.g., with the content such as,for example, a television program or movie, being displayed on atelevision set coupled to the set top box. Older set top boxes supportedrelatively limited upstream data communication with the amount ofavailable upstream bandwidth being used to support, e.g., communicationof user pay-per-view content selections or other user selections orrequests.

While data storage devices are becoming relatively cheap, until recentlythe high cost of storage devices encouraged the use of centralizednetwork storage to implement some video recorder functions. Networkbased video recording devices, which could be controlled and accessed byindividual cable subscribers are sometimes referred to as NetworkPersonal Video Recorders. In such systems, a cable subscriber accessesvideo recording functionality through a set top box with content beingstored and retrieved from a network based storage device. Older set topboxes are able to take advantage of such systems since the upstream datarate required to communicate information to the network headend wherecontent storage and streaming functions are implemented tends to berelatively minimal.

As the cost of storage devices, e.g., hard disks, have dropped in price,customer premise based personal video recorder devices have grown inpopularity. Such devices offer some advantages over network PVR devicesincluding the ability to immediately access content without concern fornetwork delays and/or network service interruptions due to, e.g.,weather or service outages.

PVR devices have grown in such popularity that many set top boxes arenow available with PVR capability built in allowing, e.g., a cableservice subscriber to record TV shows and/or other content in a set topbox located in their home. In fact, many cable service subscribers nowhave multiple set top boxes in their homes with PVR functionality.

Set top boxes with PVR capability provide the cable company theopportunity to charge a monthly service fee for the added PVRcapability. Thus, for example, rental of a set top box with PVRfunctionality might cost a fixed amount above rental of a set top boxwithout PVR capability. Given the potential revenue that can begenerated by providing set top box PVRs, cable and other serviceproviders have been encouraging subscribers to use an ever larger numberof set top box PVRs.

As set top box PVR based use increases, the demand for network based PVRfunctionality is likely to decrease over time. Cable and other contentproviders who have deployed network based PVRs are now confronted withan increasing tendency towards STB based PVRs but still have a desire toobtain commercial advantages through the use of the existing network PVRcapability in which they have already invested.

While STB based PVRs continue to grow in popularity, cable companies arefaced with another problem, i.e., maintaining customer satisfaction asnew STB PVR device capabilities increase and/or customers decide toupgrade to High Definition (HD) capable STB devices including HD STBbased PVRs.

As a subscriber uses his/her STB based PVR over time, the subscriber'svideo and/or other content stored on the STB tends to grow oftenrequiring an upgrade to a STB PVR with greater internal storagecapacity. Similarly, when a user switches from a regular to an HDtelevision there also tends to be a need to upgrade significantly interms of the STB PVR storage capability given the vastly larger size ofHD programs.

While upgrading, e.g., by replacing, STB PVRs often provides anopportunity to obtain greater revenue from increased fees associatedwith premium HD service and/or increased rental fees for a largercapacity STB PVR, cable companies are confronted with the relativelycostly task of sending a service man out to replace the users STB PVRwith a different, e.g., newer one with greater storage capacity orfunctionality, as part of a STB upgrade process.

For subscriber's concerned about maintaining their stored content,installation may involve the time consuming task of copying thesubscriber's content to a portable data storage device and then copyingit back to the replacement STB PVR. As should be appreciated, the costof the service technician's time for such a process can be considerableparticularly in cases where there is a large amount of stored content tobe copied from the old STB PVR and then recorded to the new STB PVR.

In view of the above discussion, it should be appreciated that there isa need for improved ways of upgrading STB PVRs without the loss of asubscriber's previously recorded content. It would be desirable if oneor more methods could be developed which could reduce or eliminate theneed for a service technician's involvement in the replacement processwhich is performed as part of a STB upgrade or at least reduce orsimplify the tasks performed by technician at the customer's premises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Methods and apparatus for supporting efficient upgrading of STB PVRdevices including, e.g., STBs including digital video recorders, withoutthe loss of user stored content are described. Various embodiments aredescribed which reduce the amount of time and/or operations performed bya service technician as part of a STB upgrade process in which a STB isupgraded through a replacement process. In some but not all embodiments,the need to send a technician to a customer premise to allow for thebackup and storage of content on a new set top box being provided as areplacement as part of an upgrade process is eliminated entirely.

The methods and apparatus of the present invention take advantage of aset top box's ability to communicate data upstream to a headend device,such as a network based video recorder device.

In accordance with some embodiments, a service subscriber contacts theservice provider, e.g., an administrative system at a cable head end,and schedules an upgrade of a STB PVR device with the STB upgrade to beachieved, e.g., through STB replacement. The new STB may include, forexample, greater storage capacity and/or functionality.

In some exemplary embodiments, in order to minimize the amount of time aservice technician needs to spend at the customer premise where the STBPVR to be upgraded is located, the administrative system in the headendof the communications network, e.g., cable network, controls the STB tobe upgraded to upload the user stored content prior to the time thescheduled upgrade is to occur, e.g., during the night immediatelypreceding the day in which the STB is scheduled to be upgraded. In somesuch embodiments, existing Network PVR data storage capability is usedto store the content being uploaded from the subscribers STB. In atleast one such embodiment, by the time the service technician arrives toupgrade the STB the subscriber stored content has already been uploadedand stored, e.g., on a network storage device, with informationidentifying the STB being upgraded, e.g., the STB serial number, MACaddress and/or some other unique STB identifier.

To complete the STB upgrade, in which an automatic upload of content isperformed from the STB to be replaced as part of the upgrade, aninstaller replaces the old STB at the customer premise with thereplacement, e.g., new, STB including PVR functionality, being providedas part of the upgrade process. In some embodiments, the replacement STBis preloaded before being installed at the customer premise with thecontent previously uploaded to the network storage device. In some suchembodiments, the downloading of the content is performed, e.g., at theinstallers premises or at another location where replacement STBs arestored prior to delivery to the customer premise. The downloading may bedone automatically under control of the headend with the headend thenproviding information, e.g., in the form of a label which can beprinted, indicating the customer, customer location at which the STB tobe replaced is located and/or STB to be replaced with the new STB withthe downloaded content. In other embodiments, the downloading isinitiated by the installer activating an installer application which isnormally hidden on the STB and entering information identifying the STBto be replaced which is then communicated to the headend and network PVRto initiate the stored content download.

To reduce the risk of a STB including content corresponding to onesubscriber being delivered and installed at another subscriber'scustomer premise, in some embodiments an installer first replaces theold STB with the new STB at the customer premises and then initiates acontent downloaded via the cable network. This may be done by, forexample, activating a hidden application on the STB and providinginformation identifying the STB being replaced as part of the upgradeprocess and/or customer information sufficient to identify the contentto be downloaded to the STB being installed. When combined with theautomatic uploading of content prior to the service person's arrival,this approach avoids wasting the service person's time while content isuploaded while avoiding the risk of a STB PVR being delivered to acustomer premise with another customer's content preloaded thereon.

In cases where the STB being replaced includes a high speed modem, theinstaller may initiate the content upload from the STB being replaced,wait for the upload to be completed and then trigger a download of thestored content from the network storage device by sending a signal fromthe replacement STB. While this approach may work satisfactorily fordevices with high speed modems and limited amounts of storage, theautomatic uploading of content may be preferable in cases where a highspeed modem is not present in the old STB for sending content up to thenetwork recording device or where there is a large amount of content tobe uploaded.

In still another embodiment which eliminates the need for a serviceperson to visit the customer's premise, a customer schedules a STBupgrade by contacting the headend. An administrative system thenscheduled the upgrade, automatically uploads the content from the STB tobe replaced to a network storage device, downloads the uploaded contentto the replacement STB being supplied as part of the upgrade process andthen generates a label for the replacement STB, e.g., a shipping labelor other label identifying the customer, customer location and/or STB tobe replaced. The administrative system may then schedule delivery, e.g.,shipping via an overnight or other delivery service responsible forpicking up and delivering the replacement STB to the customer. In otherembodiments, the STB is labeled and an installer or other individualresponsible for replacing the old STB with the new labeled STB isallowed to pick up the new labeled STB and then use it to replace theold STB.

In some embodiments, the administrative or shipper's system generates,e.g., prints, a return label to be used for returning the STB beingreplaced in the upgrade process. In the case where a delivery service isused to ship the new STB, after the delivery service delivers the STBwith the preloaded customer content, the customer can replace the oldSTB with the replacement STB. The old STB is then shipped back to theservice provider using the return label and, optionally, the box used todeliver the replacement STB. In this manner, a customer can be suppliedwith a replacement STB as part of an upgrade process without the needfor a service person actually visiting the customer's house or othersite where the STB to be replaced is located.

Thus, in various embodiments, the methods of the present invention takeadvantage of a network with a administrative system and distributedservers, e.g., network PVRs and/or content servers, for supporting userdevice upgrade.

The methods and apparatus of the invention may be used to provideupgrade and content backup options to users with different types of settop boxes, with different interfaces and/or supporting different contenttransfer upload/download rates. In some embodiments users may select anupgrade method, e.g., service person implemented upgrade or selfupgrade, depending on their preference and/or willingness to pay for aservice person to visit their premises. Such information may becommunicated to the administrative system at the time of the upgrade. Insome embodiments the administrative system selects, e.g., automatically,between one or more upgrade methods based on the customer input. Inother cases, a single upgrade method is supported. In still otherembodiments, the administrative system takes into consideration thecapabilities of the STB to be replaced, e.g., with STBs upload ratebeing taken into consideration when determining how much time in advanceto begin a content upload and/or when determining that the serviceperson may trigger the upload from the customer's premise, e.g., in thecase where the STB being replaced includes a high speed cable modem.

It should be appreciated that all features need not be used or includedin all embodiments and that a wide variety of upgrade methods arepossible.

Various additional features and advantages of the present invention arediscussed in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communications network implemented inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary set top box which may be used in theexemplary communications network of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed illustration of an exemplary network headendwhich can be used in the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4, which comprises the combination of FIG. 4A and 4B, illustratesthe signaling and steps associated with one exemplary method where anupgrade is performed at a scheduled time in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5, which comprises the combination of FIG. 4A and 4C, illustratesthe signaling and steps associated with another exemplary method wherean upgrade is performed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6, which comprises the combination of FIG. 4A and 4D, illustratesthe signaling and steps associated with still another exemplary methodwhere the user content is loaded onto a replacement set top box and thenew upgraded STB, e.g., replacement device, is then delivered/shipped tothe customer in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading settop box devices, and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus forsupporting efficient upgrading of STB (Set Top Box) PVR (Personal VideoRecorder) devices including, e.g., digital video recorders, without theloss of user stored content, e.g. video and/or audio data, favoritemovies, shows etc. recorded by a user of the STB.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary content delivery and distribution system100 supporting STB upgrades in accordance with the invention. The system100 also supports the provisioning, selection, notification,communication, and billing of content to customers in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention. Exemplary system 100includes a plurality of N regional service provider systems/Network headends including a region 1 service provider system/Region 1 Network headend 302 and a region N service provider system/Region N Network head end303. Each regional service provider system, e.g., region 1 serviceprovider system 302, region N service provider system 303, has acorresponding set of customer premises region 1 customer premise 1 114,. . . , region 1 customer premise n 116, region N customer premise 1118, . . . , region N customer premise n 120 each of which may includeone or more STBs with content storage capability. System 100 alsoincludes service provider national infrastructure including a nationalcontent server 110 with a corresponding national content storage 112.

Region 1 customer premise 1 114 includes a first set of equipment, e.g.user 1 set top box (STB) 106. In some embodiments, the STB 106 iscoupled to a display device, e.g. display 104, which could be anexternal television as is commonly the case. However, it should beappreciated that the STB 106 can be integrated in a device which alsoincludes the display 104. The STB 106 may, and often does, include DVRfunctionality and the storage of user selected content. Region 1customer premise 1 114 also includes additional STBs and displays, e.g.STB 106′ and display 104′. The customer premise may also includeadditional communications devices, such as user 1 communication device105, which may be, e.g., a PC based device with a Web browser and/or atelephone system. Customers in the system 100 have accounts with theservice provider which can be accessed via a Web browser contacting anadministrative system 314, e.g., using communications device 105,situated at the same location or a different location from thecustomer's set top box. Some users may use the web browser to accesstheir accounts to order an upgrade of their devices, e.g. upgrade of aset top box to include enhanced features or increased recordingcapability. It is also possible to contact the administrative system 314via an interface on the STB 106 and schedule a STB upgrade.

Region 1 network head end 302 includes administrative system 314 whichis coupled to a customer database 132. The customer database 132 is usedto store customer account information, e.g., name, address, STBidentification information, STB capability information, and informationabout which services the customer subscribes to, what upgrades are to beprovided to the customer and when such upgrades, if any, are scheduledto be performed. The network head end 302 further includes a contentserver/storage system 318, a business management (BM) server 140, and anAccounting management server (AMS) 144. In addition to the above saidelements, region 1 network head end 302 also includes a plurality ofvarious databases (e.g., region 1 customer database 132 coupled toadministrative system 314, business management server database 142coupled to business management (BM) server 140, and Accountingmanagement server (AMS) database 146 coupled to AMS server 144). Thevarious servers (318, 140, 144) are coupled together via a bus 152 overwhich they may interchange data and information.

Region 1 customer premise 1 114 is coupled to region 1 network head end302 via a communications network 176, e.g. a cable network.Communications link 182 traversing the service provider's cable network176 couples set top box 106 to the region 1 network head end's bus 152.Similarly, region 1 customer premise n 116 is coupled to region 1service provider system/region 1 network head end bus 152 via link 184which traverses service provider cable network 176.

Region N customer premise 1 118 is coupled to region N network head end303 via a communications link 186. Similarly, region N customer premisen 120 is coupled to region N network head end 303 via a communicationslink 188.

The network head ends 302, 303 of the different regions are coupledtogether, e.g., via link 103. Each of the network head ends (302, 303)are also coupled to the national content server 110 thereby allowingcontent to be passed between the network headends and the nationalcontent server 110. Link 193 indicates that region N service providersystem 104 is coupled to national content server 110. The Nationalcontent server 110 is coupled to National Content Storage 112, whichstores content which can be delivered nationally, via link 111.

National content server 110 is coupled to Region 1 Contentserver/storage system 318 via link 197. Similarly national contentserver 110 is coupled to a Content server of region N network head end303 via link 193. Various alternative interconnection topologies betweenthe regional network head end and a national service provider systeminfrastructure are possible.

National content storage 112, typically has a greater storage capacitythan the storage capacity of an individual regional content storage,e.g., region 1 Network storage device 316. Network storage device 316includes long/medium term storage 320 and short term/temporary storage322. Short term/temporary storage 320 includes, e.g., content uploadedfrom an old STB/DVR of a user who requested an upgrade. Long/medium termstorage 320 includes storage of programs such as movies for which thereis a high degree of anticipated demand. Long/medium term storage 320includes, e.g., content of recent releases, content of regionalfavorites, content of seasonal favorites, etc. Short term/temporarystorage 322 may include, in additional to content uploaded in accordancewith the device upload method of the invention, storage of infrequentlyselected programs which do normally reside in storage 320, e.g., acustomer ordered video on demand infrequently selected movie that hasbeen recently downloaded from national content storage 112. Shortterm/temporarily storage 322 also includes storage of time sensitiveprograms, e.g., a recent weather report, a recent news report, etc. thattend to be deleted after a short period of time. While short termstorage 322 is used in some embodiments to store content uploaded aspart of a STB upgrade process, any portion of the network storage device316 can be used to store the uploaded content.

The STB 106 in Region 1 customer premise 1 114 can interact andcommunicate with the administrative system 314 in the region 1 networkhead end 302 through the communications network. In the exemplary systemshown in FIG. 1, the STB 106 in region 1 customer premise 1 interactswith the administrative system 314 for supporting customer ordering ofservices and/or content, reporting of status of ordered services, andcustomer account management functions. Interaction between the STB 106and the administrative system 314 enables the user of the STB 106 to,e.g. request a STB upgrade, access other available services, place anorder for on-demand content etc. It should be appreciated that forordering a service a user is not restricted to place such an order usingthe STB but rather the user may order a service such as an upgrade usingany one of a plurality of communications devices, e.g. through webbrowser by logging onto the service provider's website and/or the usermay even directly call up the service provider using a usercommunications device 105, e.g. a telephone to schedule an upgrade.

National content server 110 processes requests for content and accessescontent from national content storage 112, e.g., forwarding requestedcontent via link 197 to content server/storage system 318, in the eventwhen a user requests a content which is not available locally to contentserver/storage system 318. As shown the content server/storage system318 includes a content server 317 which manages the network storagedevice 316, e.g., controlling upload and storage of content from an oldSTB/DVR of a user who ordered an upgrade before replacement of the oldSTB/DVR of the user with a new STB/DVR, and controllingrestoration/delivery, e.g., downloading, of the stored content from theregional content storage to the new STB/DVR after installation of thenew STB/DVR. Other functions performed by content server 317 includedeleting and/or not maintaining content accessibility in response to areceived command and/or a timer expiration.

Among other things, the administrative system 314 is also responsiblefor interacting with the user of the STB, e.g. the STB 106, forscheduling an upgrade of the STB in response to a user initiated upgraderequest. In some embodiments the administrative system 314 may beimplemented as an automated voice response system. In some otherembodiments, the administrative system 314 is capable of supportinginteraction directly with the customers, e.g. through telephone, webbrowser, and through the features and functionality provided in the STB106. Among other functions, the administrative system 314 is responsiveto an upgrade request and provides a user the opportunity to back uphis/her data/content stored in the STB while the STB is upgraded. Theadministrative system 314 exchanges signaling and information with theset top box user interface of the STB 106, as shown by link 131.

Business management server 140 processes billing informationcorresponding to region 1 customers, e.g., updating billing chargeinformation in response to changes in the set top box being supplied,video on demand purchases, and/or other activity. Business managementserver 140 also processes bill payment information, e.g., credit cardtransactions, deductions from debit accounts, mail bills, and/orprocesses discount and/or coupon information.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary set top box (STB) 206 implemented inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment. The exemplary STB 206 may beused as any one of the STB 106, 106′ of the system shown in FIG. 1. Asshown, the STB 206 is coupled to a display device 204, e.g. a monitorand/or a Television (TV). The STB 206 includes an Input/Output (I/O)interface 208, a processor 212, a codec (Coder/Decoder) 214, and astorage device, e.g. a memory 216 coupled together via a bus 210. Thevarious elements of the STB 206 can exchange data and information overthe bus 210. Via the I/O interface 208, the STB 206 can exchange signalsand/or information with other devices such as the administrative system314 in the network head end 302 of region 1, via the communicationsnetwork 176. The I/O interface supports the receipt and/or transmissionof content to/from different servers, e.g., the content server 318and/or national content server 110 as represented by arrow 240 and mayinclude, in some cases, a cable modem allowing for high speed upload anddownloads of data. In addition to supporting the communication ofcontent, I/O interface 208 further supports the communication ofapplication and/or control signals between the set top box 206 and otherservers and sub-systems, e.g. administrative system as represented byarrow 242. In some embodiments, the I/O interface 208 may also supportthe exchange of P2P signaling, e.g. signaling between different set topboxes. In the case of an old STB to be upgraded, the STB I/O interface208 may not include a high speed cable modem and may support onlyrelatively low rate uplink signaling and/or communication of contentstored on the STB 206.

The processor 212, e.g., a CPU, executes routines 228 stored in thememory 216 and, under direction of the routines 228, controls the STB206 to operate in accordance with the invention. To control the STB 206,the processor 212 uses information and/or routines includinginstructions stored in memory 216. The Codec 214 is implemented as amodule and is capable of performing encoding and/or decoding operationson a digital data stream or signal.

The memory 216 includes a user interaction module 218, application data220, user device information 222, an optional Peer to Peer (P2P)communications module 224, control module 226, various routines 228,uplink channel resource information 230, network information and hiddenapplication 234. Routines 228 include communications routines and/or settop box control routines.

The user interaction module 218 supports the interaction between theuser of the STB 206 and the network through the STB 206 whichfacilitates interaction with the administrative system 314 in thenetwork head end 302. The user interaction module 218, for example,controls presentation of a prompt to the user of the STB 206, providingthe user an opportunity to signal that the user would like to utilizeone or more of the services offered by the service provider, e.g.upgrading the STB/DVR.

Application data 220, e.g. video and/or audio data, can be movies,songs, shows etc. that the user may have download and/or otherwisestored on his set top box. It may include content which is beingtemporarily stored as part of an on demand content delivery session. Insome cases the application data can be deleted under user control and/orportions of the data will automatically be deleted as part of normalsystem management, e.g., after it is displayed. The user deviceinformation 222 may be, e.g. a user ID, Media Access Control (MAC)address of the STB, etc. and or other information stored in the set topbox memory. In various embodiments, the MAC address is used for routingcontent and/or control signals to/from the STB 206. Thus, in at leastsome embodiments, the MAC address is used by the service provider touniquely identify different set top boxes belonging to different users.The optional P2P communications module 224 includes routines and controlinstructions for enabling Peer to Peer communications between the userset top box 206, one or more STB's, and in some embodiments theadministrative system 314 of FIG. 1.

The uplink channel resource information module 230 includes informationregarding the uplink communications channel assigned to the STB 206 foruse in, e.g. uploading the data to the network content server such asthe content server/storage system 318 of FIG. 1, for storage. Forexample, the uplink channel resource information 230 may includeinformation regarding, e.g. a dedicated uplink channel for data uploadand/or time slots for which the STB 206 may upload its content, isassigned uplink. Network resource information 232 includes informationregarding the network which is serving the user of STB 206 during aperiod of time. It is possible that a regional service provider/networkmay not offer some of the services requested by a user at certain time.In such an event, the user may be served by a service provider/networkof different region, and the regional service provider/network mayupdate information regarding the different network. The network resourceinformation also includes information regarding the services that areavailable to the user of the STB 206, i.e. number of channels, on-demandservices etc.

The hidden application 234 may be implemented as a set of instructionsstored in the set top box 206 which can be triggered by, e.g., a serviceprofessional or user through a specific set of operations. The hiddenapplication 234 is not available from the standard menus available to auser during ordinary STB modes of operation. In some but not allembodiments, when the STB 206 is installed, e.g. after an upgrade, theinstaller, e.g. the user/customer himself or any other person installingthe STB device, invokes this hidden application so that the deviceinitiates and establishes contact with the network and exchangessignaling and information with the network. The signaling andinformation may include information such as the MAC address of the STB,information regarding the data rates that the newly installed STB cansupport etc. Information on identifying a STB may also be entered intothe STB and communicated under control of the hidden application to thenetwork head end. In some embodiments, the hidden application provides asecurity feature to authenticate the hidden application. The securityfeature may involve a requirement that the user enter a special codebefore enabling or proceeding with operations supported by the hiddenapplication. Activation of the hidden application may involve entry ofcertain codes, service codes, user account information, passwords,device identifiers, etc. whose knowledge may be restricted to theauthorized users and/or profession service personal.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed drawing of an exemplary subsystem, a networkhead end 302, which may be used in the communications network of FIG. 1.FIG. 3, illustrates the network headend and the relationship of variouselements of the network headend in greater detail. The network head end302 includes various elements which support and enable the serviceprovider to perform an upgrade of a user device, e.g. a STB withrecording capability, in accordance with the various embodiments of thepresent invention. The network headend 302 includes administrativesystem 314 and content server/storage system 318, optionally coupledtogether by a bus or network connection 161.

The administrative system 314 includes a memory 373, a receiver and/orsignal processing module 160, a printing device 166, an I/O device 313,a processor 375 and an I/O (input/output) interface 377 coupled togetherby a bus 371.

The memory 373 includes various stored information and storage modules,e.g. such as the upgrade options information 310 which storesinformation regarding various available upgrade and content backupoptions that are being offered by the service provider. Whileinteracting with a customer (through STB and/or telephone, web browseretc.) the administrative system 314 uses the upgrade options information310 to present available upgrade and content backup options to thecustomer. The memory further includes a scheduling module 311, anupgrade request database with user information 312, andcontrol/communications routines 315. The scheduling module 311 storesinformation regarding the scheduled date and time as to when a user settop box is to be upgraded and, optionally, the time at which content isto be uploaded from the old STB prior to the scheduled upgrade. Theadministrative system 314 stores upgrade request information including,for example, information identifying the customer who requested theupgrade, the address of the customer, the type of STB to be provided asa new STB as part of the upgrade, information identifying the old STB tobe upgraded, and the scheduled date/time of the upgrade in a upgraderequest database 312. The memory 373 includes control/communicationsroutines 315 that: i) control the operation of the administrative systemin accordance with the invention, ii) control the administrativesystem's interaction with the content server/storage system 318, andiii) implements the various communication protocols used by theadministrative system 314.

The administrative system 314 includes the receiver and/or signalprocessing module 160 which is used for receiving and processing signalsfrom other devices (e.g. old and/or new set top boxes). Received signalsmay be used to schedule an upgrade, trigger uploading of content to thecontent sever 318 and/or initiate downloading of content to a new STBbeing supplied as part of an upgrade operation. Thus, received signalsmay, as will be discussed further below, be used to initiate downloadingof stored content uploaded from an old set top box to be upgraded. Thereceiver and/or signal processing module 160 includes an identificationmodule 162 for identifying the set top box being upgraded frominformation, e.g., a MAC address corresponding to the old STB, includedin the received signal, and a network interface 164 for receiving thesignal used to initiate a download of stored content to the new set topbox, via a communications network. A printing device 166, provided aspart of the administrative system 314, is used, in some but notnecessarily all embodiments, for printing shipping labels and returnshipping labels to be used in shipping a set top box.

The processor 375 controls the operation of various elements present inthe administrative system 314 by executing one or more of the storedcontrol routines and/or modules included in the memory 373, so thatthese elements operate in accordance with the present invention. The I/Odevice 313 can be, e.g. a keypad, and may be used by, e.g., an operatorfor entering some information and/or command in the system 314. Via theI/O interface 377, the administrative system 314 can receive and/or sendmessages, content, commands etc.

The Content server/storage system 318 includes a network storage device316, a content server module 317, a memory 153, an I/O device 159, aprocessor 155 and an I/O interface coupled together via a bus 151. Thecontent server module 317, among other things, controls and manages theoperation of the network storage device 316, e.g., controlling upload ofcontent, from an old STB/DVR of a user who ordered an upgrade, to thenetwork storage device 316 (prior to replacing the old STB/DVR of theuser with a new STB/DVR) and controlling restoration/delivery of suchstored content from the network storage device to the new STB/DVR afterinstallation of the new STB/DVR.

The network storage device 316 includes a short term storage module 150,a long term data storage module 154, an upload module 156 and a downloadmodule 158. The short term data storage module 150 is used for storingvideo content uploaded from the set top box to be upgraded (e.g., an oldSTB). In some embodiments, this is done in response to, and underdirection of, the receiver/and or signal processing module of theadministrative system 314 or under direction of the same or similarmodules in the content server/storage system 318. A signal received bythe system 318 to trigger uploading may indicate that the content serveris to initiate storage on the network storage device 150. The datastorage module 150 stores information identifying the set top box to beupgraded. In some embodiments, the data storage module 150 also storesthe video content uploaded from an old set top box which is scheduled tobe upgraded. In some embodiments, the upload module 156 is responsiblefor initiating an automatic upload of stored video content from a settop box to be upgraded to a network storage device prior to a scheduledupgrade. The download module 158 is responsible for downloading theuploaded stored video content from the network storage device 316 to anew set top box that has replaced or will be used to replace the old settop box being upgraded.

In addition to the element already discussed, the content server/storagesystem 318 includes memory 153. The memory 153 includescontrol/communications routines 163 which control the operation of thecontent server/storage system 318 in accordance with the invention andimplements the various communication protocols used by the system318.The processor 155 controls the operation of various elements presentin the content server/storage system 318 by executing one or more of thestored control routines included in the memory 153, so that theseelements operate in accordance with the present invention. The I/Odevice 159 can be, e.g., a keypad, which may be used by, e.g., anoperator for entering some information and/or command in the system 318.Via the I/O interface 157, the content server/storage system 314 canreceive and/or send messages, content, commands etc. The I/O interfaces377 and 157 of the administrative system 314 and content server 318 maybe coupled to one another and various STBs via the cable communicationsnetwork.

Various figures used to described the exemplary methods of the presentinvention will now be discussed. At the top of FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C thevarious elements 300 of the system 100 which may participate in thesignaling and establishment associated with an exemplary STB upgradesession are shown. The illustrated components 300 include network headend 302, user 1 old STB/DVR 306, user 1 new STB/DVR 306′, user 1 displaydevice 308, user communication device 304, e.g. telephone, web browseretc., installer 301 which may be the user himself or may be a serviceperson who has been assigned the task for performing installation ofSTB/DVR by the service provider. Some of the elements which are part ofthe network head end have been shown, e.g. administrative system 314 anda content server/storage system 318. For the purpose of various examplesdiscussed here, it will be assumed that user 1 old STB/DVR 306 is theold STB which user 1 is to be replaced as part of an upgrade operation,and user 1 new STB/DVR 306′ is the new STB with upgraded features and/orincreased storage capacity that replaces the old STB/DVR. The signalingexchange between the STB's (e.g. user 1 old STB/DVR 306 or user 1 newSTB/DVR 306′) and the network headend 302, may and in some cases does,occur over the communications network 176, e.g. a cable network, asshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4, which comprises the combination of FIG. 4A and 4B, illustratesthe steps and associated signaling used in one exemplary embodimentwhere a customer wishes to upgrade the set top box, a content upload isautomatically initiated prior to the scheduled replacement, and contentis downloaded to the new STB in response to a signal from the new STB.As is discussed below, in this particular example the upgrade process isinitiated by a request from the user of the STB device, e.g. user of theold STB/DVR 306 but it should be appreciated that the request could besent from another device such as the user communication device 304.

In the FIG. 4 example, in step 328, user 1, e.g., the user of oldSTB/DVR 306 who wishes to upgrade to a new STB/DVR with enhancedfeatures, requests a STB upgrade which causes the old STB/DVR 306 tosend a request signal 332 to the administrative scheduling system 314 inthe network head end 302. Alternatively, the request for an upgrade maybe made from the user communication device 304, e.g. a telephone or webbrowser, as shown in processing step 330 which may also generate aupgrade request signal 332. The upgrade signal may be a signal sent froma WEB browser after the user logs on to the service provider's websiteto make an on-line upgrade request. The request may include informationidentifying the user of old STB/DVR, e.g., the user account identifier,name and address of the user, and/or other information such as the MACaddress of the old STB DVR or some other identifier used to identify thespecific STB to be upgraded. The upgrade request signal sent from theuser 1 old STB/DVR 306 to the administrative scheduling system 314 isshown using a signaling arrow 332. The request is received and processedby the administrative scheduling system 314 in step 334. Whileprocessing the request in step 334, the administrative system storesinformation identifying the set top box to be upgraded on the storagesystem 318. In response to the received request, the administrativescheduling system 314 exchanges signaling and information, indicated byarrow 336, with the device, e.g., user communication device 304 or oldSTB 306 from which the request is being made. Signals 336 may includeinformation communicating the date and time for the installation of thenew STB, and options available for uploading all or user selectedportions of the content stored on the old STB to be upgraded. Forexample, the information may include options for the user that thecontent of STB/DVR 306 will be backed up, e.g. a night beforeinstallation of the new STB/DVR 306′ or between certain hours of thenight before the scheduled installation of the new STB/DVR. Inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, asshown in the example of FIG. 4, the user selects an option where theinstallation of the new STB/DVR 306′ and restoration of the uploadedcontent is performed at the customer premise, e.g. home of the user ofSTB/DVR. After the signaling exchange between the administrative system314 and the user of old STB/DVR 306 completes, then in step 339 theadministrative system stores information indicating when the STB 306 isscheduled to be upgraded.

Next, in step 340 the administrative system, now being aware of the backup option selected by the user of old STB/DVR 306, sends a signal 342 tothe content server/storage system 318 to assign storage space forstoring the content of user 1 old STB/DVR 306 so that the network willhave a location to which stored content from old STB/DVR 306 can beuploaded. In step 344, the content server/storage system 318 processesthis request and assigns a storage space in the network storage device316 for backing up the content from user 1 old STB/DVR 306. Followingthe assignment of storage space for storing the content, theadministrative system in step 346, sends signal 348 to the old STB/DVR306 to initiate a content upload. Then, in step 350, the old STB DVRprocesses the received signal and in response, sends a signal 352 toindicating that a content upload is being performed by STB 306 andcommunicating video content stored on the old STB/DVR. The contentserver/storage system 318 receives the signal and the uploaded contentfrom the old STB/DVR in step 353. In step 353 further processing takesplace and the content server/storage system 318 controls the storage ofthe uploaded content to the network storage device 316. In step 354 thecontent server, after storing the content from old STB/DVR along withSTB and/or customer identification information, sends a confirmationsignal 356 to the administrative system confirming successful uploadingof content from the old STB/DVR 306.

The method continues from FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B. For the purpose of thisexample, it is assumed that the new STB DVR 306′ which will replace theold STB/DVR 306, is one of a plurality of new STB DVR's available to theinstaller from which the installer can select. Thus new STB 306 may beany one of a plurality of blank STB DVRs available to the installer. Instep 360 the installer, e.g. a service professional or home owner,installs the new STB/DVR at customer premise, initializes the new STBand activates a hidden application used to download the content uploadedfrom the old STB. The hidden application provides a security feature toconfirm that use of the hidden application is by an authorizedindividual. In some but not necessarily all embodiments, the activationof the hidden application may involve entry of certain codes, e.g. useraccount information, passwords, device identifiers, etc. provided to theauthorized installer with entry of such a code or other informationbeing required to enable the hidden application to download previouslyuploaded content. In step 362, the new STB DVR 306′ processes thisactivation command and authenticates its use by an authorized user. Instep 364, following activation of the hidden application, the newlyinstalled STB/DVR 306′ sends a signal 368 indicating that the newSTB/DVR is now ready for download of the stored content that belongs tothe user of old STB/DVR 306. The signal 368 signals the administrativesystem 314 to initiate download of the stored content to the new STB. Insome embodiments, the signal 368 includes information identifying theold STB and/or the new STB. The device identifier may be, e.g., a MACaddress of the old STB/DVR 306. In such embodiments, the administrativesystem may use this information to perform a look-up in the userdatabase and match the user information to restore the content belongingto old STB/DVR 306, to the new STB/DVR 306′ and/or otherwise use thereceived information to identify the content to be downloaded to the newSTB. The administrative system receives the signal 368 in step 369 andprocesses it. In response to signal 368, the administrative system 314,in step 370, sends a signal 372 to the content server to cause thecontent server to deliver the stored content, which was uploaded fromthe old STB/DVR 306, to the new STB/DVR 306′. In step 374, the contentserver/storage system 318 processes this request from the administrativesystem 314 and downloads the stored content previously uploaded from theold STB/DVR 306, to the new STB/DVR 306′ which replaced the old set topbox.

Next, in step 378 after the complete download of the stored content, thenew STB/DVR sends a confirmation signal 380 to the administrative system314. Following the confirmation of complete download from the newSTB/DVR 306′, in step 382 the administrative system 314 sends a signal384 to the content server/storage system 318 to trigger the deletion ofthe stored content belonging to old STB/DVR 306 from the network storagedevice 316. The content server/storage system 318 receives and processesthis signal in step 386 and in response deletes the stored content. Insome embodiments, the new STB/DVR 306′, upon complete download ofcontent from the network, may send a signal to the user display device308 indicating completion of content download processes from the contentserver. This occurs in step 386 wherein the new STB/DVR 306′ sends adisplay signal 388 to the user display device 308, e.g. a T.V or amonitor. Upon the receipt of the display signal 388, the user displaydevice 308 may display, e.g. a message showing “Download completedsuccessfully” or in some embodiments the display device may showdownload progress as the new STB/DVR 306′ downloads content from thenetwork storage device 316.

FIG. 5, which comprises the combination of FIG. 4A and 4C, illustratesthe steps and associated signaling used in another exemplary embodimentin accordance with the present invention. The processing in FIG. 4A isthe same as previously described with regard to the FIG. 4 embodiment.However, the steps in FIG. 4C are performed instead of the steps of FIG.4B. FIG. 4C includes several steps which are the same or similar to thesteps and associated signaling presented in FIG. 4B. Accordingly, suchsteps and associated signaling will be identified in FIG. 4C using samereference numbers as used in FIG. 4B. For the sake of brevity and toavoid repetition, the steps and associated signaling shown in FIG. 4Awill not be discussed in detail again since the signaling and steps havealready been discussed in the example of FIG. 4 in detail.

In the FIG. 5 example, downloading of content is performed prior todelivery of the replacement STB to the customer's premises., e.g. homeof the user of STB/DVR. The installer may perform the steps needed todownload the stored content from the network to the new STB DVR athis/her premises and then just deliver the new STB/DVR to the user. Theuser and/or the installer may then just plug in the new STB/DVR at thecustomer premise in place of the old STB and activate it for use bycustomer. Using such a backup option, the installer may save asignificant amount of time as compared to embodiments where theinstaller has to wait at the customer's premises for content to bedownload to the new STB. This can save additional overhead to theservice provider who has to pay extra charges to installers for workingoffsite. Further, the customers i.e. the users may also save a lot oftheir time which they might have to spend, if they decide to performinstallation by themselves, in downloading the content belonging totheir old STB/DVR from the network.

As discussed above, a distinguishing aspect of the example of FIG. 5 isthat the activation of the new STB/DVR 306′ and restoration of oldSTB/DVR content may not be performed at customer premise. Rather theinstaller e.g. a person assigned the task of installing and/oractivating STB/DVR's for a number of customers by the service provider,may perform majority of essential operations on the new STB/DVR beforedelivering it to the customer. FIG. 4C shows various steps andassociated signaling, many of which are the same or similar to the stepsand signaling presented in FIG. 4B. In step 360, the installer activatesthe hidden application on the new STB, e.g., while the new STB islocated at the installer's premises. The signaling associated with thisstep is shown using arrow 361. Once the hidden application is activated,the new STB/DVR 306′ prepares itself for the download of content fromthe network. In step 364, the new STB/DVR 306'signals the networkadministrative system that it is ready for content download as indicatedby arrow 368. The signal may include information about the new STB/DVR306′, e.g. new STB/DVR identifier. In step 370, in response to signal368, the administrative system 314, sends a signal 372 to the contentserver to send the stored content which was uploaded by the old STB/DVR306, to the new STB/DVR 306′. It should be appreciated that during thisperiod of time, the network administrative system is aware that thestored content belonging to old STB/DVR 306 is being sent to the newSTB/DVR 306′. The installer may or may not be aware of what content andwhose content will be downloaded to the new STB/DVR 306′. In step 374,the content server/storage system 318 processes the request from theadministrative system 314 and sends the stored content belonging to theold STB/DVR 306 to the new STB/DVR 306′ as shown using arrow 376.

Upon the completion of download of the content, in step 378 the newSTB/DVR 306′ sends a signal 380 to the network administrative system 314confirming the complete download of the stored content belonging to oldSTB/DVR 306. Following the confirmation of complete download from thenew STB/DVR 306′, in step 382 the administrative system 314 sends asignal 384 to the content server/storage system 318 to delete the storedcontent belonging to old STB/DVR 306 from the network storage device316. The content server/storage system receives and processes thissignal in step 386 and in response deletes the stored content. In step392, the network administrative system 314 sends a signal as representedby arrow 394, to the installer 301. The signal 394 includes informationidentifying the user, e.g., customer to which the new STB is to bedelivered, e.g. name and address of the user, device identifier, e.g.MAC address of the old STB/DVR 306, etc. This information, asrepresented by the signal 394, may be communicated from the networkadministrative system 314 to the installer 301 over a cable network,through telephone, paging, E-mail etc. In step 396, the installer 301using information communicated in signal 392, prints a label includingcustomer identification and/or delivery information and delivers the newSTB/DVR 306′ to the identified customer premises. In some embodiments,the installer 301 may install and activate the new STB/DVR 306′ at thecustomer premise. In other embodiments, the installer 301 may justdeliver the new STB/DVR 306′ to the customer address. The user maydecide to perform installation by himself/herself.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, it may be desired that the need ofan installer visiting the customer premise is removed altogether. As canbe appreciated, after the download of the stored content from the oldset top box, to the new set top box by the administrative system, it isnot necessary that an installer needs to personally go to the customerpremise and replace the old set top box with the new upgraded set topbox. Rather, this can be completely avoided, thus saving additional timeand cost to both, through the use of a delivery service. Such anembodiment is illustrated using the example of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6, which comprises the combination of FIG. 4A and 4D, illustratesthe signaling and steps associated with such an exemplary embodimentwhere the uploaded content is loaded onto the new upgraded STB and thenew upgraded STB is then delivered/shipped to the customer forinstallation by the customer. Thus, any need for an installer visit tothe customer premise is obviated.

FIG. 4D includes several steps which are the same or similar to thesteps and associated signaling presented in FIG. 4C. Accordingly, suchsteps and associated signaling will be identified in FIG. 4D using samereference numbers as used in FIG. 4C. Furthermore for the sake ofbrevity and to avoid repetition, various steps and associated signalingshown in FIG. 4A and 4C will not be discussed in detail again since thesignaling and steps have already been discussed in detail in the exampleof FIG. 5 in detail. The administrative system 314 may make provisionsto automatically upload the content from the old set top box (oldSTB/DVR) and then download the stored content back from the network tothe new STB/DVR either at any location within the network headend 302,e.g. place where new STB/DVR systems are stored or tested, or at theinstaller premises. Once the new STB/DVR is ready with all the storedcontent, the administrative system then schedules the delivery of thenew STB/DVR to the customer location. This may be done by automaticallysending delivery signal to a delivery service, e.g., electronically,over the Internet or other network connection.

A distinguishing aspect of the example of FIG. 6 is the additionalprocessing done at the administrative system end in order to ship thenew STB/DVR to the customer after the restoration of the old STB/DVRstored content. Various steps and associated signaling involved in FIG.4D which are common to FIG. 4D and FIG. 4C have already been discussedin earlier example, i.e. the example of FIG. 5 (for example, here steps360 to step 386, and the signaling associated with all the stepsinvolved, is common in FIG. 4C and 4D). Following step 386, theadministrative system prints a shipping label for the new set top box,so that it can be delivered to the customer through a delivery service.As shown in FIG. 4D, in step 387 processing is done in order to generateshipping labels for the new set top box (new STB/DVR 306′). Alsogenerated is a return shipping label to be used for return shipment ofthe old set top box (old STB/DVR 306) which is to be replaced. Printingdevice 166 included in the administrative system is used for thispurpose. The return shipping labels are printed and included along withthe new set top box which is scheduled to be delivered to the customerso that the customer can easily ship back the old set top box, to theservice provider. The administrative system 314 may decide to schedulethe delivery of the new set top box to the customer location using astandard delivery service and/or mailing service. For this purpose, theadministrative system sends a signal 389 to the installer/deliveryservice 333. The signal 389 includes information identifying the user ofthe new STB/DVR e.g. name and address of the customer etc. Thisinformation contained in the signal 389, may be communicated from thenetwork administrative system 314 to the installer/delivery service 333by any of a variety of communications techniques, e.g. over a cablenetwork, through telephone, paging, E-mail etc. In step 393, theadministrative system finalizes and sends the shipment to the customerthrough the delivery service. In some embodiments, alternatively, theadministrative system 314 may engage an installer to schedule thedelivery and provide the installer enough information, e.g. customername and address etc., which is needed to deliver/ship the new set topbox to the customer.

While described in the context of a video on demand system, it should beappreciated that the methods and apparatus of the present invention arenot limited to the delivery of video content and can be used to supportdelivery of audio content and/or other types of information contentwhich may be requested by an IP based CPE device.

In various embodiments system elements described herein are implementedusing one or more modules which are used to perform the stepscorresponding to one or more methods of the present invention, forexample, presenting the user with available content information,receiving a user input indicating a content request, estimating deliverytime information, selecting a source for content, controlling thecopying of content between servers. Each step may be performed by one ormore different software instructions executed by a computer processor,e.g., a central processing unit (CPU).

At least one system implemented in accordance with the present inventionincludes a means for implementing each of the various steps which arepart of the methods of the present invention. Each means may be, e.g.,an instruction, processor, hardware circuit and/or combination ofelements used to implement a described step.

Many of the above described methods or method steps can be implementedusing machine, e.g., computer, executable instructions, such assoftware, included in a machine, e.g., computer, readable medium used tocontrol a machine, e.g., general purpose computer with or withoutadditional hardware, to implement all or portions of the above describedmethods, e.g., in one or more nodes. The machine readable medium may be,e.g., a memory device, e.g., RAM, floppy disk, etc. Accordingly, amongother things, the present invention is directed to a machine-readablemedium including machine executable instructions for causing a machine,e.g., processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of thesteps of the above-described method(s).

Numerous additional embodiments, within the scope of the presentinvention, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art inview of the above description and the claims which follow.

1. A method of performing a set top box upgrade for a customer, themethod comprising: storing information indicating when a set top box isscheduled to be upgraded; prior to the scheduled upgrade, automaticallyinitiating an upload of stored video content from the set top box to beupgraded to a network storage device; and downloading the uploadedstored video content from the network storage device to a second set topbox, said second set top box being used to replace said set top box tobe upgraded.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior todownloading the uploaded stored video content, receiving a signal usedto initiate a download of stored content, uploaded from said set top boxto be upgraded, to said second set top box.
 3. The method of claim 2,further comprising: storing information identifying the set top box tobe upgraded on said network storage device in addition to video contentuploaded from said set top box.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinreceiving a signal used to initiate a download of stored content to thesecond set top box includes receiving, from said second set top box,information identifying the set top box to be upgraded.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein said information identifying the set top box to beupgraded is a MAC address.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein said signalused to initiate a download of stored content is communicated over acable network from said second set top box.
 7. The method of claim 4,further comprising, prior to said signal used to initiate a download ofstored content being received: activating a hidden application on saidsecond set top box; and entering into said second set top box saidinformation identifying the set top box to be upgraded.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein said hidden application is an installer application onsaid set top box to be upgraded.
 9. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: generating a label corresponding to the second set top boxincluding information identifying the customer premise at which the settop box to be upgraded is located.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: initiating delivery of said second set top box to thecustomer premise at which the set top box to be upgraded is located. 11.The method of claim 10, further comprising: printing a return shippinglabel to be used in shipping the set top box to be upgraded; andincluding the printed return label with the second set top box when itis shipped to the customer premise at which the set top box to beupgraded is located.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein initiatingdelivery of the second set top box includes scheduling delivery of theset top box with a delivery service.
 13. The method of claim 10, whereininitiating delivery of the second set top box includes scheduling aninstaller to deliver and install the second set top box.
 14. A systemfor use in upgrading a set top box, the system comprising: a schedulingmodule for storing information indicating when a set top box isscheduled to be upgraded; an upload module for automatically initiatingan upload of stored video content from the set top box to be upgraded toa network storage device prior to the scheduled upgrade; and a downloadmodule for downloading the uploaded stored video content from thenetwork storage device to a second set top box, said second set top boxbeing used to replace said set top box to be upgraded.
 15. The system ofclaim 14, further comprising: a signal processing module for receivingand processing a signal used to initiate a download of stored content,uploaded from said set top box to be upgraded, to said second set topbox, prior to downloading the uploaded stored video content.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, further comprising said network storage device, saidnetwork storage device including: a data storage module includinginformation identifying the set top box to be upgraded and video contentuploaded from said set top box.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein saidsignal a signal processing module includes a network interface forreceiving via a communications network, said signal used to initiate adownload of stored content to the second set top box; and anidentification module for identifying the set top box to be upgradedfrom information included in the received signal.
 18. The system ofclaim 17, wherein said information identifying the set top box to beupgraded is a MAC address.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein saidsignal used to initiate a download of stored content is communicatedover a cable network from said second set top box.
 20. A method ofperforming a set top box upgrade for a customer using a communicationsnetwork, the method comprising: receiving from a set top box to beupgraded, a signal used to initiate network storage of video contentstored on said set top box; storing video content uploaded from the settop box to be upgraded on a network storage device; receiving from asecond set top box, a signal used to initiate a download of storedcontent uploaded from said set top box to be upgraded; and downloadingthe uploaded stored video content from the network storage device tosaid second set top box, said second set top box replacing, in saidcommunications network, said set top box to be upgraded.
 21. The methodof claim 20, further comprising: storing information identifying the settop box to be upgraded on said network storage device in addition tovideo content uploaded from said set top box.
 22. The method of claim21, wherein receiving a signal used to initiate a download of storedcontent to the second set top box includes receiving, from said secondset top box, information identifying the set top box to be upgraded. 23.The method of claim 22, wherein said information identifying the set topbox to be upgraded is a MAC address.
 24. The method of claim 22, whereinsaid signal used to initiate a download of stored content iscommunicated over a cable network from said second set top box.
 25. Themethod of claim 22, further comprising, prior to said signal used toinitiate a download of stored content being received: activating ahidden application on said second set top box; and entering into saidsecond set top box said information identifying the set top box to beupgraded.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein said hidden application isan installer application on said set top box to be upgraded.
 27. Asystem for use in upgrading a set top box, the system comprising: areceiver module for receiving signals from set top boxes including afirst signal used to initiate storage, on a network storage device, ofvideo content stored on a set top box to be upgraded, and a secondsignal used to initiate a download of content stored on said networkstorage device; a storage module for storing on said network storagedevice, in response to receipt of said first signal by said receivermodule, video content uploaded from the set top box to be upgraded; anda download module for downloading the uploaded stored video content fromthe network storage device to the second set top box in response to saidsecond signal.
 28. The system of claim 27, further comprising saidnetwork storage device, said network storage device including: a datastorage module including information identifying the set top box to beupgraded and video content uploaded from said set top box.
 29. Thesystem of claim 28, wherein said receiver module includes an networkinterface for receiving said signals from a cable network; and anidentification module for identifying the set top box to be upgradedfrom information included in the second signal.
 30. The system of claim29, wherein said information identifying the set top box to be upgradedis a MAC address.
 31. The system of claim 29, wherein said signal usedto initiate a download of stored content is communicated over the cablenetwork from said second set top box.